Can-opener



UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

sYLvA NUs D. TALBERT, 0F OURAY, COLORADO.

CAN-OPEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,182, dated March22, 1898.

Applioation filed May 11, 1897. Serial No. 636,987. (No model.) I

To a'ZZ whom may concern.- I

Be it known that I, SYLVANUS D. TALBERT, of Ouray, in the county ofOuray and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Gan-Openers; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear,

and exact description of the invention such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to can-openers, the object of the samebeing toprovide a simple and elfective device for opening cans which will cut aperfectly round opening in the top or bottom thereof and in which thesize of the opening cut may be regulated.

The invention consists of a flat bar having a handle formed upon one endthereof and a longitudinal slot in its opposite end, a cu ttingtoothsecured to one side of said bar, a plate having flanges at its oppositeends adapted to embrace said bar, and a prong extending through saidslot and through a threaded opening in said plate provided with meanswhereby it may be turned for the purpose of clamping it at differentpoints upon said bar.

The invention also consists in other details of construction andcombinations of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully describedand claimed.v

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 representsa perspective view of my device shown applied in the position it assumesin the act of cutting the head of a can. Fig. 2 is a top plan view ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the diiferent views.

My improved can-opener is made up of a fiat bar 1, of any suitablemetal, having a handle 2 formed upon one end thereof and alongitudinally-extending slot 3 at the opposite end. Secured to theunder side of the barl, at a point adjacent to therear end of the slot3, is a cutting-tooth 4.. Upon the under side of the bar 1, adjacent tothe slot 3 therein, is a plate 5, which has upturned flanges 6 6 atopposite ends thereof, which engage the outer edges of said bar andserve as guides for preventing the lateral displacement of said plate.

This plate has a threaded opening 7 extending through it, in whichopening fits a pointed prong 8,having screw-threads 9 upon it, whichengage the screw-threads in said opening, and a handle 10 upon its upperend, by means of which said prong may be turned. Upon the lower end ofsaid handle is formed a shoulder 11, which engages the upper surface ofwhich brings the shoulder 11 into close contact with said bar and clampsthe plate 5 and the prong secured thereto firmly to the bar 1.

In using my device the pointed end of the prong 8 is forced through thetop or bottom of the can at its central point. The said prong and theknife 4 are so adjusted relatively that the knife 4 will engage theupper end of the can at a point adjacent to its outer edge. With boththe prong 8 and the blade 4 forced through the upper end of the can itis merely necessary in order to cut a circular opening in the can forthe operator to draw the handle 2 toward him. The cutting edge of theblade a will then be brought into engagement with the top of the can atan acute angle, cutting a circular opening with the prong 8 at thecenter thereof.

By making prong 8 with screw-threads it is not only more easily forcedthrough the top of the can by turning the handle 10, but when so forcedin the screw-threads engage with the material of the can and securelyhold the prong in place.

The device is extremely simple in construction, can be cheaply made, andis effective for the purpose for which it was designed.

Having now described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

In a can-opener, the combination with the bar formed with alongitudinalslot in one end, and with a handle at the opposite end, and

provided with a cutting-tooth intermediate In testimony whereof I havesigned this its ends, of the plate having its ends turned specificationin the presence of two subscribupwardiy forming flanges embracing thesides in g witnesses. of said bar and the screw-prong passing SYLVANUSD. TALBERT. through a screw-threaded opening in said Vitnesses:

plate, formed with a circular shoulder bear- 0. O. SNARE,

ing upon said bar, substantially as described. I A. U. SMITH.

